Safety-guard for eccentric-rods



(No Model.)

W. H. DIFFENDERPER.- SAFETY GUARD POB. EGGENTRIG RODS. y No. 310,655. Patented 18.11.13, 1885.

WILLIAM H. DIFFENDERFER, OF MIDDLETOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

SAFTY-GUARD FGR ECCENTRICHRODS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 310,655, dated January 13, 1885.

(No model.)

.To @ZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. DIFFEN- DERFER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Middletown, in the county of Dauphin and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety- Guards for Eccentric-Rods; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and iigures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a side elevation ofthe eccentric-rods ofa steam-engine, showing my improved safety-guard in position for use; and FigQ, a detail viewin perspective of the safety-guard.

The present invention has for its object to provide means for preventing the eccentricrods of locomotive steam-engines from falling or dropping on the ground, or coming in contact with any object that would break or otherwise injure them.

Previous to my invention it was common to provide stationary engines with a device which connected with the governor and supported the eccentric-rods, by which means the rods were operated for the purpose of regulating the throw of the valve. This construction, however, would not effect the object sought, and could not successfully be applied to a locomotive steam-engine to act as a means for preventing the eccentric-rods thereof from dropping on the ground when disconnected from their fastenings. To attain this end I provide what I term a safety-guard,7 ot' any desirable construction,which is preferably attached to the boiler-brace, and through which the eccentric-rods are allowed to play without supporting them only when broken or becoming disconnected from their fastenings, as heretofore described.

In the accompanying drawings, A B represent the eccentric-rods of a locomotive-engine, connected in the usual manner to the shaft C by straps a, and at their opposite ends connected to the link D bypius b. It frequently occurs that the eccentricstraps a break or become disconnected from various causes, or the link-pins b break or come out, in which case the eccentric-rods would drop on the ground and become bent, broken, or do serious damage. This danger I insure against by providing a safety-guard consisting, preferably, of a suitable bracket, E, having means for con- This bracket E has two or more slots or bifurcations, d, through which pass the eccentricrods of the locomotive or other engine, and at the extremity` of these slots or bifurcations are journaled friction-rollers e. In case the eccentric-rods drop down from any cause, the bracket will hold them suspended, and thus avoid accident, the rollers upon which the rods rest decreasing the friction and wear thereon.

The particular construction of the bracket as above described and shown is not considered essential, as any device or means maybe substituted, so long as it will effect the object sought-wiz., that of allowing the eccentricrods free play through slots or spaces when the engine is in motion without in any manner supporting them; but when broken or disconnected from their fastenings at either end they will be at once supported from falling on the ground. It is evident, therefore, that the safety-guard is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the principle of my invention, and I therefore reserve the right to such changes as come within its scope.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the eccentric-rods of a locomotive steam-engine, of a safetyguard constructed substantially as described, whereby the rods are allowed free play through the slots or bifurcations thereof,without being supported thereby, but held suspended immediately on becoming disconnected from their fastenings, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A safety-guard for the eccentric-rods of locomotiveengines, constructed substantially as described, whereby it will form a support for the rods only when they become disconnected from their fastenings, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. DIFFENDERFER.

Vitnesses:

EPHRAIM WATTS, HARRY BAUMnAcr-r.

IOO 

